Not a bad next-gen concept there, medi... maybe something like a mix between a J-10 and F-23?

If you had the marketing backers on the same scope as did the original JSF and ATF programs have, perhaps then something like this might actually have some relevance and success when putting on the table.

The only thing I would criticize against it though, would be the apparent lack of endurance and range. If you were selling this thing to an Air Force with a small geographical territory to cover such as Denmark's or Netherlands, then it might be a worthy candidate.

But for the US ANG, and especially for an Air Force with a need to lessen dependence on strategic Air-tankers at that... try considering a baseline of 700nm combat radius, internal fuel (something along the lines of an F-16XL) as your cost-effective starting point... in my opinion.

Perhaps something along the lines of a stretched, reduced RCS Gripen NG baseline, but with an added Cranked Delta wing and sleek CFT? Power with a single F414 EDE/EPE?

I like the Gripen idea. i just look at the Army LAKOTA and wounder why a ARIES/ compisit scaled down F-23/ F-16xl aircraft would not work well for the ANG. the ANG has been taking big hits here as of late.

I guess what really gets me is we spend 8 Billion for a helicopter and then buy none of them. we spend a further 3 billion on a second helicopter project and still nothing.They cancel a stealth bomber for the Navy after spending how many Billions?. No ATF for the navy! Billions on an artillary System and again nothing . Now they are crying about not having enough F-22's doing away with the A-10 and putting Billions upon Billions into a fighter thet keeps failing! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Personally, the winner of the T-38 replacement contract (I'm hoping FA-50/T-50) should also receive a contract for around 72 weaponized (AIM-9/AIM-120) examples of their aircraft. These would equip the New Mexico, West Virginia, Michigan, and Illinois Air Guard. New Mexico got some BS pulled with the last BRAC, considering it had the highest value of all fighter bases and still lost its Vipers. In my opinion, these Guard units losing their fighters is of serious consequence for air defense. So, why not start shutting down active-duty training units and stand up dual-role fighter-trainer Guard units instead? It would save money and contribute to national defense. Guard units are often more economical to run anyways, which is why the vast majority of USAF fighter wings are Guard. Assuming the standard $30 mil flyaway cost for an FA-50, this contract would come up under $4 billion.

(I would also accept the M-346 for this role provided it can accommodate the appropriate weapons load)

I may have passed over some Guard units located where air defense interceptors could be of use. If so, please point those out to me

You could imagine that, once the F-35 is deep into full production, a variant could be developed that uses an improved engine (maybe with TV), slims down the weapon bays, and replaces the wings with ones that look more like the YF-23.

Einstein got it backward: one cannot prevent a war without preparing for it.